Justin Melo of The Draft Network reports that the San Francisco 49ers were among the teams that met with Buffalo linebacker Joe Andreessen at the College Gridiron Showcase in January.
.@UBFootball LB Joe Andreessen had 90 tackles + 12 TFLs this season.#Bills have shown consistent interest. Also met #49ers, #Steelers, #Jaguars, #Eagles at @CGSAllStar.@JoeAndreessen on @TheDraftNetwork:https://t.co/XCnfzEi4da
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 1, 2024
According to Sports Reference, Andreessen recorded 90 tackles, including 12 for a loss, a sack, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble in 12 games with the Bulls after transferring from Bryant. He concluded his collegiate career with 256 tackles.
"I've had a bunch of Zoom and in-person interviews," Andreessen told Melo. "I've filled out some surveys. I had about nine interviews at the College Gridiron Showcase. The Jaguars, Eagles, Steelers, 49ers, and Bills showed some good interest there."
The 49ers might be seeking to bolster linebacker depth through the draft. Dre Greenlaw is rehabilitating from the Achilles injury he sustained in the Super Bowl, and general manager John Lynch hinted that the veteran linebacker might start the 2024 season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
Should Greenlaw need significant recovery time, San Francisco signed linebacker De'Vondre Campbell on a one-year deal in free agency as an insurance policy.
At his Pro Day last month, Andreessen clocked a 40-time of 4.65 seconds with a 1.59-second 10-yard split. He recorded a 38-inch vertical jump and managed 32 reps in the bench press.
When asked why an NFL team should invest a draft pick in him, Andreessen responded, "You're going to get a great person and a great teammate. You can ask my teammates and coaches—even the ones that were around me for one season at Buffalo. Or if you ask people at Bryant about me, I'm held in fairly high regard.
"That's what I focus on first and foremost, being a good person and a good teammate. I also want to be the best football player I can be. I'm an extremely hard worker. I'll do what it takes to help the team win."
